Freeland "Rusty" Carbitcher

Seminole resident, Freeland “Rusty” Carbitcher, passed away Saturday, July 8th, 2023, in Seminole.

Rusty, the son of Jimmie and Nancy Deere Carbitcher, was born May 25, 1951, in Holdenville.  He graduated high school from Paul’s Valley with the class of 1969.  Shortly after graduating from high school Rusty entered the US Army.  Rusty served in Vietnam as a sniper and a machine gunner on an Army helicopter.  At one point during his service time in Vietnam he was listed as MIA, during a transfer, he went towards Quan Loi and his papers went somewhere else.  After his family was notified and he was later found, the Red Cross was instrumental in getting his family notified that he was still alive and fighting the war.  After the leaving the Army, Rusty entered the civilian work force.  He was an over the road truck driver and then he ultimately worked as and completed his working life, working security at the Sac and Fox Casino.  He enjoyed going to the casino, stomp dances, pow wows, making Native yarn belts, and collecting cars, but nothing was as important as time spent with family.  Rusty was a member of the Shawnee VFW.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jimmie and Nancy Carbitcher; brothers, Monroe Carbitcher, Jimpsey “Boggie” Carbitcher, Younger “Sonny” Carbitcher; sisters, Dora “Tootsie” Hill and Betty Wahweah; and a nephew, BJ Brown.

Rusty is survived by his daughters and son-in-law, Shirlene and Anthony Davidson of Seminole, Kathlene Carbitcher of Seminole and Darlene Carbitcher of Norman; one brother, Cookie Carbitcher of Seminole; four sisters, Pat Larney of Shawnee, Marina Butler of Bowlegs, Serena Scott of Seminole and Nettie Haney of Seminole; five grandchildren, Christopher Cofer of Guthrie, Donovan Phillips of Seminole, Kelsey Callahan of Seminole, Jasmine Phillips of Shawnee, and Kailee Feken of Seminole; seven great grandchildren, Addalyn “Peanut” Cofer, Ophelia Cofer, Logan Callahan, Kinley Callahan, Jace Callahan, Rorry Callahan, and Payson Phillips; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.

A wake service will be held at 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, July 12, at Rusty’s home in Seminole.

Services will be at 1:00 p.m.Thursday, July 13, 2023, at Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, with Eric Thlocco and Paul Fixico officiating.  Burial will follow at the Carbitcher Family Cemetery in Bowlegs.

Casket bearers will be Michael Hill, Sam Wahweah, Jimpsey Carbitcher, Leonard Henneha, Jr., Mike Hart and Monroe Carbitcher. Honorary bearers will be Anthony "Pirate" Davidson, Christopher Cofer, Donovan Phillips, Jon Wahweah and numerous nephews and great grandsons.

Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole.